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#ForTheArts #THEATRE @OliverDowden The arts are essential to my family & I. My boys & I have experienced dance, theatre, music - we are lucky, I know. We know all our regional venues & arts spaces, we've rolled across most of their carpets. Our lives will be less without them 1/
My youngest can't sit still, on the whole he sits upside down, but in a theatre he is the stillest child from curtain up. He has a leader board of shows @nativityuk remains top. He is my companion at outdoor festivals, he curates our day ..2/
2yrs on we still talk about the Hippos @brumhippodrome & the time we baked in the sun for the chance to be chosen by Osadia - the creation we named Shark Boy was a triumph, he had 18 different elements on his head, he counted, he took them to school so his friends could see..3/
My eldest likes football, bikes, you tube. He recently told me musicals are not his thing - how privileged he is to make that choice. But he gasped @SirMattBourne #TheRedShoes and has a favourite choreographer @CoreyBakerDance...4/
I am a freelance PR, I work on outdoor festivals @BhamWeekender @CultureCentral @ImagineerUK , with the dance sector @dancexchange , with theatre's @theatreabsolute & on heritage projects @E2EShakespeare so culture isn't 'just' a choice for my family 5/
When my Summer and Autumn's work was cancelled I was bereft. Yes there is a financial anxiety - and home school has definitely lost its sparkle - but I LOVE my job and a summer of fun and hard work slipped away 6/
Both children join me at work events, they know this is lucky. They meet & are inspired by so many people. Last year @BhamWeekender @ImagineerUK #ImagineBridge. the eldest helped with signage and moving flags - he knows a festival takes hard work, we all pitch in 7/
The youngest @BhamWeekender gave out brochures, stationed at the info point he talked to audiences, he gave advice on what to see, where to go and when. 8/
The arts, culture is part of who my family are. It is essential. It's what we do. Its how we learn and escape, its how I earn a living. Without it what then? #ForTheArts #Theatre @OliverDowden END.
